Monday Motivation: Connections

Friends
Happy Father’s Day! Thank you to all the fathers and grandfathers who love their children well and search for ways to connect with them. Their time and attention to the needs and interests of their children sends a powerful message of love.

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Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God.
Philippians 1:3 – NLT

Time matters. Moments count. A father’s love is a precious gift.

Much to my mother’s chagrin, my father decided to take up motorcycle riding when I was thirteen years old. Dad had ridden motorcycles in his teens and twenties, but the duties of military life and parenting prompted him to give up the sport when I was but a toddler.

I’m not quite sure what made him take up this passion again, but I think one of the reasons was his desire to find something he and I could do together. I was all for the idea. In truth, I was all for most anything Dad wanted to do.

I remember the day we bought the Yamaha 100 bike and donned our matching black and white helmets. I climbed on the back, nestled securely behind my father, and off we rode into the sunset. I’m not sure which one of us had the wider grin.

Saturdays were about long motorcycle rides through the country, checking out the back roads, and stopping for a Coke at a country store. Daddy and I would kick back, sip our sodas and talk. We talked about everything. He asked me about school and my friends. He recited old family tales, and we laughed at stories of his boyhood antics. We talked about history, politics, faith, and the lessons of life. I soaked it all up like a sponge.

Before long, Dad bought a larger motorcycle, a Honda 350, so he and I could ride further and more comfortably. We coined those day trips as “Father Daughter Days,” both of us looking forward to our next opportunity to ride. Sure, those rides had their thrills as we cruised through the curves of those winding country roads, but the real joy of those rides was the opportunity to connect. Spending quality time together was important to both of us. Dad’s desire to spend time with me sent an important message during those teenage years, “I was loved. I was worthy. I was special.”

Sadly, many daughters don’t experience that kind of connection with their earthly fathers. Many sons don’t have strong male role models to emulate. The lack of such relationships is a wound that many must endure, a burden that is not easily overcome.

Yet, all of us have a Father who loves us beyond measure. Our Heavenly Father cares about every aspect of our lives. He watches and waits for us to look toward Him, to make a connection. He longs to be our focus, for us to spend time in praise and worship.

He has the ability to heal our hurts and to nurture our growth. He understands our histories and cares about our dreams. He wants to be part of our lives.

When we connect with our Heavenly Father, we learn that we are precious in His sight. He is aware of our mistakes and forgives our transgressions. He longs to set us on the right course if we will only listen to His counsel. He loves us, deems us worthy, and thinks we are incredibly special.

I hope you have known the love of a good earthly father, but even if you haven’t, I know that Your Heavenly Father longs to spend the day with you. He stands ready to listen to your stories, to wipe away your tears, and turn your sorrow into joy. Give Him a chance to connect with you.

My father is a very wise man. He knew what he was doing when he created those “Father Daughter Days.” While our motorcycle days came to an end when I went off to college, our day trip connections continued for many years thereafter. Even now, we still cherish our opportunities to kick back, tell some tales, and relive some good memories.

On this Father’s Day, allow me to say thank you to my Daddy for spending time with me, for sharing your life lessons, and making me feel special. For time does matter. Moments count, and a Father’s love is a precious gift.

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For your unfailing love is as high as the heavens. Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.
Psalm 57:10 – NLT

PRAYER
O Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your amazing love for us. You know us completely. You know our past and our present, our good decisions and bad choices. Our successes and failures are known to You, and You love us anyway. Because of Jesus’ great sacrifice, we are forgiven and redeemed. Your love for us never fails. It goes on and on forever. O Lord, let us rest in the warmth of Your powerful love for us. Help us to connect with You, to seek You in every day and in every way.
In the Precious Name of Jesus, we pray,
Amen

Father’s Day Blessings,
Anita

-APS 6/17/2019